plate no. 5885

Tata and Katia in the mirror

Zinaida Serebriakova, 1917

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)genre paintingfiguresinteriormirrorroomfurniturereflection

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice painting figures in an interior setting and capturing reflections in a mirror. Students can develop skills in color mixing to create subtle variations in skin tones and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, paying attention to the placement of the figures and the mirror.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and colors of the background, furniture, and figures.
step 03
Begin refining the details of the faces, focusing on capturing the likeness and expressions.
step 04
Work on the reflection in the mirror, simplifying the details and adjusting the colors to create a sense of depth.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to create form and dimension.
step 06
Refine the details of the clothing and furniture, paying attention to the textures and patterns.
step 07
Adjust the overall color balance and contrast to create a harmonious composition.
step 08
Add final details and touch-ups as needed.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt sienna · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light

Mix various shades of blue and white for the walls and clothing. Use burnt sienna and white for the skin tones, adding small amounts of red for warmth. Mix yellow ochre and burnt sienna for the furniture.

techniques